Overview

Cyberduck is a file browser for server and cloud storage on Mac and Windows. It is a strong fit for people who move files across different protocols or providers; readers who need scheduled transfers or consistent timestamp preservation should look elsewhere.

Key features

Connections and file handling

Cyberduck spans FTP, SFTP, WebDAV and SMB, plus services including Amazon S3, Google Cloud Storage, Azure, Backblaze B2, OneDrive, SharePoint, Google Drive, Box and Dropbox. That breadth makes it practical as a single front end for varied storage, rather than a specialist client for one connection type. Drag-and-drop transfers, recursive directory operations, resumable transfers and direct server-to-server copying cover common file-moving jobs. Automation is supported, but scheduled transfers are not, so it does not suit workflows that depend on a built-in timetable.

Synchronization, editing and sharing

Local-to-remote synchronization includes a preview of affected files before action, a useful safeguard when a sync could change a large directory. Files on a server can be edited in a preferred external editor. Cyberduck can copy or open HTTP URLs, and S3 connections support CDN and pre-signed URLs. One caveat for archival or timestamp-sensitive work: modification dates cannot be retained on every protocol.

Security and integration

Cryptomator integration adds client-side encryption, including encrypted filenames and individually encrypted files. SFTP supports public-key authentication, strong ciphers and two-factor authentication; passwords use the system Keychain, which also supplies certificate trust settings. Cyberduck integrates with Finder on Mac, Windows notifications, Bonjour discovery and system protocol handlers. The maker states that the software has no backdoors and does not require an account or registration. It is GPL-licensed, with source code on GitHub, and a command-line version is available for Mac, Windows and Linux.

Support channels include community help, documentation, a public bug tracker and email support.

Pricing

Cyberduck is freemium: the GPL-licensed software is free and needs no registration or account. This is the natural choice for anyone who wants the full free-software option without a paid commitment.

The optional Registration key is 10.00 USD per month, billed as a minimum contribution. It disables the donation prompt and can be used on multiple computers, but is personal. A separate Registration key contribution costs 10.00 USD per once as a minimum amount, also disables the prompt and works on multiple computers; it is likewise personal and not shareable. These contributions change the donation prompt, not the software's stated free access, so paying is chiefly for readers who want to contribute to the project.

Platforms

Cyberduck is for macOS and Windows. Current downloads support Windows 10 64-bit or later and macOS 10.13 or later on Intel or Apple M1.

Who it's for

Choose Cyberduck if you need one desktop application for a mix of server protocols and cloud-storage services, especially when synchronization preview, resumable transfers or encryption integration matter. It is less suitable for timed transfer routines, workflows that require modification dates to survive every protocol, or Linux users seeking the desktop interface.

Pros and cons

Pros: Broad protocol and provider coverage reduces the need for separate clients.
Pros: Sync previews, resumable transfers and direct server-to-server copying help with cautious or interrupted file operations.
Pros: GPL licensing, no-account access and optional Cryptomator integration offer flexibility for privacy-conscious users.
Cons: No scheduled transfers, which rules it out for jobs that must run to a timetable.
Cons: Modification dates are not retained across all protocols, a drawback for timestamp-dependent workflows.
Cons: The desktop platforms are Mac and Windows, not Linux.

Alternatives

For a more focused or platform-specific client, consider these options:

FileZilla Client is free on Linux, Mac and Windows and covers FTP, FTPS and SFTP; choose it if those protocols are enough.
WinSCP is a free, open-source Windows client supporting SFTP, FTP, FTPS, SCP, WebDAV and S3; it suits Windows users who want that protocol mix.
CrossFTP has a free client and paid Pro and Enterprise editions for one computer; consider it if you want to compare those editions.
FTP Rush is freeware for Android, iOS, Linux, Mac and Windows, a platform-spanning alternative.
FTP Commander offers a free-trial freemium option on Android and Windows.
lftp is GPL-licensed free software for Linux, for readers who want a Linux option.
FTPShell Client has a free trial and a Windows Pro edition priced at 59.95 USD per once; consider it if you want to compare a paid Windows client.
FTPie has a free Windows plan limited to one device, three server connections and personal, non-commercial use; it may suit a small personal setup.
Browse FTP and SFTP clients, SFTP Client Software or WebDAV Client Software to compare focused categories.

Verdict

Cyberduck is the right choice for Mac and Windows users who need a versatile, free, open-source browser across servers and cloud storage, with useful sync safeguards and transfer recovery. Its broad coverage is the main reason to choose it; the lack of scheduled transfers and uneven timestamp retention are the clearest reasons to look elsewhere.

	Cyberduck	SFTP Commander
Free plan	Yes
Paid from	$10/mo
Platforms	macOS, Windows	macOS
Free plan	Yes	No
Paid from	$10one-time
Protocol coverage	multi-protocol	ftp-ftps-sftp
Supported platforms	cross-platform	macos
File synchronization	Yes	No
Scheduled transfers	No	No
Transfer automation	Yes	No

Cyberduck vs SFTP Commander

Cyberduck

SFTP Commander